For the first time since 2019, Salesian College Preparatory’s World Languages Department is taking a group of roughly twenty students of French to la ville lumière—Paris, the city of light! Drs. Heidenfeldt and Raterman, accompanied by fellow francophiles Ms. McAfee and Ms. O’Hair, have already begun planning for the trip and will guide students through this cultural and linguistic journey over Easter Break. 

In preparation for the trip, prospective travelers attended a Flex session at the end of last year to brainstorm activity ideas, then took a survey about the things they were most interested in doing and seeing in the French capital. The top picks included an interactive cooking class, a perfume-making workshop, open-air markets, a French theater and drama workshop, and of course, shopping! Then, just last month, the trip leaders held their first official information meeting for students and guardians. The excitement was palpable as families learned about potential activities, packing tips, and budgetary considerations. 

To help defray travel costs, students, guardians, and adult leaders will organize several fundraising events throughout the school year, the first of which is right around the corner: Homecoming! Stop by their booth for some tasty French and French-themed treats. There will also be food sales at other school wide events, including the fall play. In addition, students participating in the trip will have the opportunity to do individual fundraising through the online platform eTeams; this campaign will be launched in late October and extend into early November. Trip participants thank the school community in advance for their support and encouragement.

If they haven’t done so already, interested students from French 2 through AP French should contact Dr. Heidenfeldt or Dr. Raterman for more information. Trip applications and deposits are due by mid-October, and photocopies of valid passports must be submitted by November 1st. 

Please wish our students and faculty bon voyage as they embark upon this grand adventure!